How I Plant and Grow Leeks

May 1, 2013

I LOVE LEEKS. They bring a unique, onion-y flavor to soups, stews and risottos. I find them devastatingly-delicious when braised in chicken stock and vermouth. Fortunately these Alliums are very easy grow. To achieve a white, or “blanched” stalk, I plant the seedlings this way:

First, obtain leek seedlings which are neither too short nor too tall. A height of 7-10 inches is about right.

Where to find seedlings? You can produce your own from seed. They are quick to sprout but initially slow to grow. Plan on 10 weeks before the seedlings achieve transplanting-size.

I take the easy route, and obtain seedlings from my local, organic grower. The grower sells the young leeks in cell-packs, as pictured above. There are many stems crammed into each cell.

Next, release the seedlings from their cell-pack prison. To do this, tear the thin plastic of each cell, and carefully dislodge the seedlings, all in one clump.

To separate the seedlings without damaging their roots, just drop them in a big bowl of water. Swish them around for a second or two.

Voila! With the soil washed away, the stems can be easily pulled apart. Return the stems to their bowl of (now-quite-dirty) water.

You may have heard that the roots and tops of leek seedlings should be trimmed before planting. But in my experience, trimmed leeks do not perform any better than un-trimmed leeks.

Do you grow your veggies in raised beds? Good for you. Leeks always perform best in the non-compacted, rock-free soil such beds afford.

Now grab a broom or a rake. The handle will serve as a nifty hole-making-machine, or “garden-dibber.”

Plunge the handle into the soil, making holes that are 2-3 inches wide, and 5-6 inches deep.

If the holes won’t hold their shape, the soil is too sandy. In that case, amend the bed with shredded leaves, weed-free straw, or compost. Leeks love a mixture that is rich in organic matter.

Space the holes 6-9 inches apart on all sides. Leeks need elbow-room in order to develop fat shanks.

In the photo above, you’ll notice bits of greenery growing in the path beside the bed. These are not weeds. They are the run-away daughters of day-neutral strawberries that grow in a neighboring bed. I’ll cut these rooted runners tomorrow, and reset them as new plants. This, of course, will offend their sense of independence. But that’s too bad.

Now take a leek…

And drop it into a hole.

Depending on the length of a seedling, only two inches of growth will be visible above the soil-level. That’s perfectly fine.

Now, run back to the house, and retrieve a bright-pink watering pitcher.

Use the pitcher to fill every hole with water.

As the water drains, a small amount of soil will wash down, covering roots but not stems.

And here’s the beauty of this planting-system: As the leeks grow, overhead watering (provided either by Nature or a sprinkler) will gradually cause the surrounding soil to refill the holes, keeping the lower stem dark, and thus “blanched.” The blanched part is the most tender, delicious part of a leek.

If, over time, the holes refuse to back-fill on their own, just help them along. Return a little soil to the holes every week or two, as growth becomes evident.

Further cultural details:

When to Plant: You can plant leeks as early as two weeks before your last-expected spring frost. Here in New York’s Hudson Valley (zone 5-b), I plant leek seedlings between late-April and mid-May.

Exposure: For the most productive plants, choose a site that receives all-day sunshine. Leeks that are planted in part-shade can not attain their true potential.

Feeding: These alliums are blessed with a healthy appetite. I give them regular sprinklings of Espoma’s organic 3-4-4 “Garden Tone.”

Water: Like most vegetables, leeks perform best when they receive one inch of water per week.

Mulch: To reduce weeds, and also to increase moisture-retention, mulch the plants after the holes are completely filled with soil. I mulch mine with either shredded leaves or weed-free straw.

Harvesting: When the white part of the stem grows to one inch in diameter, feel free to harvest your leeks. Most varieties take 90 to 120 days to mature. But you needn’t rush to harvest your crop. Mature leeks are remarkably frost-tolerant, which means you can harvest as needed, usually until the ground freezes solidly.

Comments

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kevin! I’ve been intimidated by leek growing since I moved to New England 4 winters ago. I’ve started from seed, but bunch too many together so they do not have enough space to plump up before planting. I’ve used your technique of end of rake holes, but spaced too closely together in the soil too. I’ve been hoping you’d speak to leek planting and now that you have, I’m going to set aside my hair-sized seedlings, heading off to my local farm stand, and going to purchase a couple 6-packs of plump leek seedlings, and getting my rake handle ready to do business! You are the greatest!!!

We discovered a love for leeks last year when I decided to make a loaded potato-leek soup! Wow! We are definitely adding these to our garden this year. I’ve also already planted the cut off, rooted ends of leeks I’ve purchased from the store, and they are coming up fabulously well in our raised beds too!

Wow!!! That is a unique and interesting way to do “hilling”!
Usually I’m a little scared of growing leek because of the hilling process… but you’ve made it so interestingly simple! ehehe.
Always a wealth of knowledge, you are!

I’ve never had much luck growing leeks but after reading your hints, I’m ready to try again. I germinated a bunch from seeds and they will be ready to go outside soon. The big mistake I was making was thinking leeks could do well in partial shade. Now I know to plant them in sun. Thanks, Kevin! I always learn something from you! (And btw, I LOVE the new cuisinart I won from you a while back. I’ve put it to good use, often, and think of you each time!)

Like Jan, I haven’t had much success with leeks. But your method has some very helpful tips that really make me want to try again. Maybe not this year, since the gardens are pretty well planned but next year for sure. Fewer onions and more leeks, the king of the alliums! Thanks.

Thank you so much for this info. Planted some already but concerned about the close grouping. Leaving for Israel for a couple of weeks, will see if I can re-do when I get back. If not, next year according to your guidance. Much appreciated. Always enjoy your stuff. Shalom.

Picked up 2 packs at local farm stand. Delightful folks. Got 1/4 planted last afternoon and will get the rest in today. Thanks again, so much, for the reminder that leeks (spaced appropriately ) are definitely worth the effort and real estate! Warm regards to you!

This was wonderful. My only regret is that you are not a southern gardener – We grew successfully in Maine and Massachusetts and have yet to conquer this southern gardening thing – I’m going to sign up for your emails – and hopefully can somehow tailor a lot of the simply presented information for here -
Thanks

Excellent post !! … as usual.
I love leeks but have struggled for years with the planting and maintaining of them until harvest. More often than not, my efforts have resulted in sad, sad leeks. I will be trying your method this year with renewed hope and great expectations.
Jeez … why didn’t I think of that ?!!
Thanks.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am a typical southern california girl, who did not know what a leek was. My daughter and I wanted to start a garden and we grabbed a few things at Home Depot. I planted the leeks in a container (all in 1 clump). Growing nicely by the way. However, I went to our locall market and actually saw a leek for the first time. I did not realize they are so big. I will be using your method to transplant them in more spacious surroundings. Thank you for the info. Oh, I might need a bright pink watering can too. Lol.

I grow leeks every year… And can’t wait for a pot of potato and leek soup come the first cool days of fall. I have always grown my leeks in a long trench… Which I fill in as the plants grow. However… I like your system and plan on giving it a try when I plant my leeks next week!!

Leeks freeze really well, too, for use in cooking over the winter. Just clean, then chop roughly and throw in a feezer bag. They dont even need to be blanched. Same with onions, and oh, how nice it is not to have to clean and chop leeks or onions when the cooking impulse strikes.

This was very helpful. I wasn’t going to plant leeks this year.
i never had success with them. But after reading your blog, picked yp some seedlings at the famer’s market and tried your method. It was so easy. I do hope they grow.

Just the info I needed, Kevin. I did plant and was happy with the leeks I grew last year, but was never quite sure I had planted them properly. This year I shall be able to plant them with total confidence. It’s so nice to be able to harvest a leek or two at a time all winter long. Planning a leek chard fritatta for dinner tonight with my last two leeks! Time to plant something else in that part of the garden. We’ve been having an enviable spring here in the Pacific Northwest, and I am truly grateful for it. And I feel the same way you do about chives!

I leave the leeks, that i have planted and don’t have time to eat, right in the ground in the fall ( i don’t cover them in any way) . I live in Nova Scotia, where the winters are freezing.
Just about now, or even in April, i can start enjoying the remaining leeks. I leave one or two leeks in the ground, let them go to seed and, voila, i have seeds in the fall. These i plant in trays the following March and transplant them outdoors in May.
In my book, leeks are one of the easiest plants to grow!

Kevin, this is a great tutorial, very well done, clear and concise. I live in Houston, so I will try this method for planting leeks in my fall garden. I don’t think they would survive the heat of our summers! But I am already harvesting tomatoes!

Love your site! I have been growing leeks for several yrs now and find I can take the seed heads and drop them in the ground for next yrs plants. It works quite well. Haven’t bought any new plants since the first year. Have never tried freezing them, sounds like a great way to save them.

I’ve planted what I thought were leeks 2 weeks ago. However I planted bulbs rather than seedlings. Since you did not mention bulbs, nor did any of the people who commented, I am wondering if I am in for a surprise come harvest time. At the very least I am sure I will have to hill the plants. I will be sure to use your technique next year.

Kevin,
Your site is outstanding. I love to cook and garden. I tried in the past to grow leek with little success. I will follow your step by tsep directions and grow leek. I got to get planting, its getting late in the season here in Maryland.

Love this info, thanks. I thought I’d let you know that I bought some spring onions at the grocery store, saved the root ends, and they are re-growing in my kitchen window. They are just in water (I have well water), and are about eight inches tall. I saw the idea on Facebook. I tried it with celery, but it came back as something else (frankenfood). It was bitter and had leaves like broccoli. just thought it would be a winter project for you and would probably do good on your glass shelves at the window. Thanks for all the good info and recipies.

Wow, yes, I love how you make it look so easy and what great photos! I enjoy the fun you have too. I had a whole mess of Walla Walla Sweets come up and I am thinking that I could do this same replanting process with them…what do you think?

Just link to this next early spring. My father was a keen and good gardener, but as leeks youngsters could be easily obtained at out neighbours with a glasshouse, he always bought young leekplants, never sowing them. Anyway, make quite clear the broomstick made hole you plant the leeks in, should never ever be filled to the top right away. If one does so, the plant will only grow big above the ground and stay stickthin in the soil. Just try one filling up the hole and you will see what I mean. We are always told to firm the ground around a newly planted plant right away, so not (or letting nature do it in due time) filling that hole goes against all we have learned. So, please make sure your readers do not fill that hole immediately. Over here leeks are eaten quite frequently, a a vegetable, piefilling or in soups, the green parts colour peasoup a nicer green. At home we just added a bit of vinegar to cooked sliced leeks, delicious!

-leeks are always so expensive -if available in our area…so i have never chosen to learn to use them ar learn how good they can be. your directions are are so nicely done and so specificly shown that even i am eager to try and broaden my leek horizons…kevin..your home and lifestyle are able to be near the level of perfection which is your good fortune….but you are sweet enough to go to great legnths to enthusiactly share your good fortune with an ever growing lucky group…kevin–how nice…b.

This is the second post I recieved(actually Heavenly Challah is the second post- the scallions post was listed at the bottom , yay!) since signing up for this blog . I see the original post was actually 8 months ago, but I am ready to plant scallions let me tell you! I’ll hold off until the weather gets better though, being from Upstate New York. You never know what the weather will be like. And it being only January still. It’s a little early. Im wishing I can come to one of the Open Days! So much fun!
Awesome Blog! I love it! Thanks for blogging!

i too love leeks and am planning to work from seed this year for a change…your post is perfect timing as i begin to gather up my seeding paraphernalia (no pink water pitcher, however!)…
i will give your gradual fill-in method a try!

now, any good ideas about the best way to plant shallots….would like to have had a better return last year…

Ok spewed-coffee laugh over running to house to get my little pink watering can! I also live in Hudson River Valley (Waterford) and I cannot wait to go out and plant the leek starts I bought at Farmers Market on Friday!

I followed these instructions last year and am very pleased to say it worked like a charm. It takes a bit of digging to get them out but they are blanched just like the store bought ones & without the crazy work with conventional methods.

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About Kevin Lee Jacobs

Kevin is an award-winning food, garden and lifestyle guru who lives in New York's Hudson Valley (zone 5-b) . His recipes have appeared in dozens of newspapers. He has contributed countless gardening articles to African Violet Magazine, Berkshire Home Style Magazine, and Garden Design Magazine.